Job Summary:
The Reliability Engineer – Valves & Seals is responsible for improving the performance, uptime, and service life of valve and sealing systems across food and beverage manufacturing operations. This mid-level role focuses on predictive maintenance, failure prevention, root cause analysis, and lifecycle optimization of fluid system components. Working closely with maintenance, engineering, and quality teams, this engineer drives improvements in sanitation-critical components while supporting regulatory compliance and continuous plant performance.
Lead reliability assessments of valves and seals in CIP/SIP systems, product handling, utilities, and packaging equipment.
Conduct failure mode and root cause analysis (FMEA, RCA) and implement corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
Analyze trends in performance, wear, and failure frequency using CMMS and sensor data (if available).
Refine preventive and predictive maintenance strategies for valve and seal assemblies to reduce unplanned downtime.
Evaluate and optimize spare parts usage, recommended torque specs, seal materials, and maintenance windows.
Support implementation of condition-based monitoring techniques (e.g., pressure decay, thermal imaging, acoustic analysis).
Assist in standardizing valve and seal specifications across production lines to improve reliability and inventory control.
Collaborate with OEMs and procurement teams to evaluate component design improvements and performance claims.
Ensure valve and seal systems meet regulatory (FDA, FSMA, USDA) and hygienic standards (3-A, EHEDG).
Maintain and improve documentation including PM routines, failure logs, and reliability improvement plans.
Support capital project teams during equipment upgrades, focusing on valve and seal reliability from startup.
Work with sanitation, QA, and operations to improve cleanability, durability, and sealing effectiveness of critical components.
Contribute to training and mentoring of junior technicians on proper valve/seal installation and inspection practices.
Failure analysis and reliability improvement of valves and seals
PM/PdM strategy enhancement and CMMS data utilization
Root cause analysis and corrective action planning
Component standardization and vendor collaboration
Cross-functional support for hygiene and operational excellence
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Chemical Engineering (or related technical field)
Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP)
Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent
HACCP, PCQI, or 3-A Sanitary Design understanding is a plus
3–7 years in reliability, maintenance engineering, or mechanical systems, ideally in food, beverage, or regulated manufacturing
Demonstrated experience with valves, gaskets, O-rings, and dynamic seals in hygienic environments
Proficient in CMMS (e.g., SAP PM, Maximo, or Infor) and reliability analysis tools
Solid understanding of sanitary valve and seal types, materials, and failure mechanisms
Hands-on troubleshooting and data-driven decision-making skills
Strong communication, documentation, and cross-team collaboration skills